Pontus Melee Infantry

Pontic Elite Swordmen

The best sword fighters Pontos can provide in battle.

These skirmishers were named for their small crescent-shaped leather or wicker shields or 'peltai'. It was a common habit to name troops for their shield style in the Greek world. They wore little or no armour and carried three javelins. After harassing the enemy by flinging javelins, they would hastily retreat before any counter-charge or flanking move could be carried out. As armies developed and tactics became more complex, peltasts were expected to take part in hand-to-hand combat: with such expectation they were given stiffened linen cuirasses and short swords. They were still expected to use javelins, but could then join in the close fighting. Eventually, peltasts even exchanged their characteristic shield for the heavier thureos. Their name and battlefield function remained unchanged.

Abilities

Pontic Elite Swordmen

• Rapid Advance
  Improved unit movement speed over an extended period.
  Speed, acceleration, charge speed
  Exertion: fatigue
• Use the Whip
  Improved attack and fatigue resistance for a short time.
  Melee attack, weapon damage, fatigue resistance
  Exertion: fatigue

Attributes

• Disciplined
  This unit does not suffer a morale penalty when the general dies. It can also rally after routing more often.
• Hide (forest)
  This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
• Resistant to Heat
  This unit tires less quickly in the desert.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Transport

• Very poor hull strength
• Very slow speed
• Weak ramming

Pontic Elite Swordmen

• Very good attack
• Average defence
• Average damage but low armour penetration
• Good morale

Pontus Units
General (6)
1.Pontic Swordsmen
2.Bronze Shield Pikemen
3.Pontic Royal Cavalry
4.Scythed Chariots
5.Pontic Royal Infantry
6.Pontic Champions
Melee Infantry (11)
7.Hillmen
8.Mob
9.Pontic Swordsmen
10.Pontic Infantry
11.Pontic Royal Infantry
12.Pontic Armored Axemen
13.Pontic Masked Axemen
14.Pontic Masked Swordmen
15.Pontic Chosen Infantry
16.Pontic Noble Swordmen
17.Pontic Elite Swordmen
Missile Infantry (5)
18.Eastern Archers
19.Eastern Javelinmen
20.Pontic Peltasts
21.Eastern Slingers
22.Pontic Archers
Pike Infantry (3)
23.Bronze Shield Pikemen
24.Levy Pikemen
25.Pikemen
Spear Infantry (9)
26.Eastern Spearmen
27.Hoplites
28.Thureos Spears
29.Pontic Spearmen
30.Pontic Noble Spearmen
31.Pontic Veterans
32.Pontic Champions
33.Pontic Guard
34.Lions of Pontus
Melee Cavalry (5)
35.Cappadocian Cavalry
36.Noble Blood Cavalry
37.Citizen Cavalry
38.Pontic Heavy Cavalry
39.Pontic Noble Riders
Missile Cavalry (1)
40.Horse Skirmishers
Shock Cavalry (1)
41.Pontic Royal Cavalry
Chariot (1)
42.Scythed Chariots
Fixed Artillery (3)
43.Eastern Giant Ballista
44.Eastern Bastion Scorpion
45.Eastern Scorpion (Fixed)
Field Artillery (7)
46.Eastern Bastion Ballista
47.Eastern Ballista
48.Eastern Scorpion
49.Eastern Large Onager
50.Eastern Bastion Onager
51.Eastern Onager
52.Scorpion Pot Ballista
Admiral (3)
53.Tower Penteres - Eastern Archers
54.Assault Tetreres - Hillmen
55.Tower Hexeres - Pontic Swordsmen
Melee Ship (5)
56.Assault Tetreres - Hillmen
57.Tower Hexeres - Pontic Swordsmen
58.Assault Hexeres - Pontic Swordsmen
59.Fire Pot Dieres - Thureos Spears
60.Assault Dieres - Thureos Spears
Missile Ship (7)
61.Scorpion Penteres - Eastern Archers
62.Tower Penteres - Eastern Archers
63.Missile Penteres - Eastern Archers
64.Scorpion Trieres - Eastern Archers
65.Missile Trieres - Eastern Archers
66.Raiding Hemiolia - Eastern Javelinmen
67.Pursuit Trihemiolia - Pontic Peltasts
Artillery Ship (2)
68.Light Artillery Penteres - Eastern Ballista (Ship)
69.Artillery Penteres - Eastern Onager (Ship)